Case studies in modelling cooperative knowledge systems

Understanding cooperative knowledge systems is becoming a central issue in Al research. The questions centre around complexity of management of separate knowledge sources In terms of heterarchical and hierarchical organisation structures, and convergence of planning and design cycles. In this we discuss two cases: maintenance planning and VLSI design. The VLSI design mode-I described here is in the initial stages. The objectives of this ongoing research is to ask questions and attempt to sketch the nature of cooperative problem solving behavior.